We walk into Week Five of College Football ranked #16 in the AP Poll with a 4-0 record. This is an absolute dream start for Tech fans, and one that not a lot of us were expecting. However, I’m not sure
what to think of last week’s performance. We started strong, pulling away early and then doing absolutely nothing in the second quarter. Thankfully, this team showed resilience and fought back to win by a decent margin. It was our first win as a ranked team since 2015, so hey, a win is a win. Now we’re onto the next: the Wake Forest Deacon Demons. The Jackets have won their last four meetings against this program, and we’re looking to extend that streak this weekend. Hopefully, the only things catching on fire in Winston-Salem are the bottom of Jamal Haynes’ cleats, and not another stadium food truck. Here is what I think I know as we play our first ACC road game of 2025.
We can go 5-0 for the first time since 2014.
Back in the triple option days, ball coach Paul Johnson and quarterback Justin Thomas led the Jackets to a 5-0 start. That same year, we defeated Clemson, uga, Miami, and won the Orange Bowl to solidify an 11-3 record. Now we are led by Coach Key and quarterback Haynes King with a chance to start at 5-0 and complete another historical season on the Flats. One week at a time, and one win at a time should be the mentality. No matter the road, getting there is never easy.
Robby Ashford and the Demon Deacons’ offense are on the struggle bus
After managing just 10 points against Kennesaw State in their opener, Wake Forest’s offense has shown only slight signs of improvement. The Demon Deacons put up 42 points against FCS opponent Western Carolina in Week Two, and followed that up with a 34-24 loss against NC State. The only story of the offense so far has been running back Demond Claiborne. Claiborne has 247 yards on 25 carries and four touchdowns on the year. In 2024, his 1,049 yards were good enough to earn him All-ACC third team honors, and things are trending that way again for him in 2025. If our defense doesn’t find an answer to this talented back, it could make for a long game. Other than the running back position, however, the Deacons have not been able to produce. Only one receiver who caught a pass in 2024 has returned, and it is definitely showing. There is a beacon of light from freshman receiver Chris Barnes, who has 248 yards on the year so far. Ashford is putting up decent numbers with an average of 232 yards per game, but those yards have not turned into touchdowns. Through three games, he has one touchdown pass and three interceptions, with an overall QBR of 32.1. If Wake Forest wants to have any future success this season, Ashford will need to step it up and start playing better. On the bright side, their offense will only improve under new head coach Jake Dickert. Dickert was hired in 2024 from Washington State to replace Dave Clawson. He is an offensive mind and is trying to develop the Demon Deacons into the same weapon that he turned Washington State into. The Jackets’ defense should handle this offense, but we must contain the run game to have success. That leads me to my next point…
Blake Gideon and his defense have some work to do
I will give some credit to Temple’s quarterback Evan Simon, who showed his toughness by tucking and running the ball against us; some may even say he was channeling his inner Haynes King. Simon finished with 68 yards on 14 carries with a long of 34 yards. If we are letting a G5 quarterback that is not a runner put up those numbers against us, we could be in trouble when we play a mobile quarterback. Even Clemson’s offense started having more success when Klubnik was able to scramble, as he finished that game with 62 yards rushing. The run defense has not looked anywhere close to last year’s, as we ended the 2024 season allowing 122.2 yards per game, good for 30th in the nation and less than 1,000 yards overall. We are currently allowing 155.3 yards per game, good for 85th in the nation. Our defense has looked solid overall, but Blake Gideon needs to try to find the answer to some of these glaring mistakes. One of the worst is that the defense is currently 116th in fourth down defense with a 75% success rate. This rate was spot on against Temple as we let them go 3-4 on fourth downs, with one conversion leading to a garbage time touchdown. I know I sound picky with all of these complaints, but it is because I know this team is special and we can play better than this. But, like I said earlier, a win is a win, and stats don’t matter if you keep winning. Let’s see if this defense can shut down a struggling Wake Forest offense on their home turf.
The offense needs to be more consistent than they were last week as we head into conference play
I have to show concern about this for just a second. After three flawless drives to open up the game, the offense had three straight three-and-outs and just completely stalled. Obviously, things ebb and flow, and adjustments are made, but we cannot have another nine-yard quarter again and expect to keep up with our future opponents. Not only does this kill momentum, but it doesn’t give our defense enough time to rest and reset. I do not expect us to score points on every drive, but the second quarter was just downright ugly and cannot be repeated. Onward from here.
Not only do we have a kicker, we have a punter!
What was the benefit of those three-and-outs, you might ask? UNLV transfer Marshall Nichols got to show off his tremendous leg, earning an award as ACC specialist of the week, as well as a spot on the Ray Guy Award’s Ray 8 list. He earned this after averaging 51.2 yards per punt against Temple. Two of his four punts were downed inside the five – one of which was a 64-yarder. He is averaging 48.1 yards per punt on the year, which would be good for seventh nationally if he met the requirements for the minimum number of punts attempted (thank you, offense). Congrats to Marshall, but I hope we don’t have to see you too often moving forward!
It’s been a sloppy ride so far this year, but all that matters is that we keep chugging and keep winning. I like our chances this week, and I know the team will be ready.
Go Jackets.
